Our latest story is another from Roald Dahl called Snow White but its audio and not video
It’s a bit disgusting in places so be warned. Parents may wish to check first
PARENTAL GUIDANCE
Here it is
Manjula was full of them.
Ideas and jokes that is.
It all did begin as a joke. Justin is leaving Mysore so we’ve craftily fetched a couple of useful items that he can’t take with him.
That’s our first stage.
Manjula’s concerns included what to do with all the stuff I was bringing home. Especially art and books. She reckoned there wasn’t enough room. Wrong!
Second she wanted to give me things to do when I couldn’t lead cycle tours anymore. When I was 75, or so she thought.
Well it all started with Faizan borrowing. Now we have Manjula’s library. She’s left it a bit messy.
There’s also a work area and..
Balcony.
Available for guests and our friends in Mysore
Sunflower day.
Hello from lockdown land here in Mysore. Lucie and I were getting bored with each other so we’ve created sunflower day. It’s a day to invite friends to visit. Here they are in the photo. Can you spot them?
How many are there?
Someone’s sneaked in five pictures of Manjula. That’s cheating and only counts as one.
Update: I can see three gods clearly, and there are two hidden away.
There’s more detailed photos below
Storytime five
When the lovely Poppy my granddaughter was born I arrived one day with a boxful of picture books from when her father Ben and uncle Oll had been children.
Today’s stories are two from that collection by two of my favourite author/illustrators Michael Foreman and Anthony Brown.
I also like the books as they introduce issues that are important, whatever our age.
The first is dinosaurs and all that rubbish by Michael Foreman
The second is a walk in the park by Anthony Brown
Storytime three and four fifths.
A firm recommendation. Here
Storytime four and three quarters
There’s two stories today, well one is a sad story ‘The Memory Tree’ so check it out before you show it to a little one. It’s a lovely story in its own right and really useful in a context of a wider conversation about death. Here is a link to how I explained to my granddaughter Poppy what happens when someone dies. This was after Manjula slipped through my fingers.
The next is a rhyme by Roald Dahl, a different take on Cinderella.
I’ve had a technical question from my granddaughter about my filming set up. I expect that behind this question is an ulterior motive. That I need to up my game and improve the quality of the video. So I’m trying a different Heath Robinson set-up. It’s a bit out of focus, for that I blame my age.
Here’s the photographic evidence of my studio.
Storytime three
Story time two
A lovely story about a wonky donkey. Screen pic looks a bit small hope it’s still ok
Story time
A story read by Stephen for little and big ones here watch this place for more stories while we’re all at home.
It’s Tom’s Day
“O Captain my Captain! Our fearful trip is done.”
Well I can’t say it’s not been a challenge because it has.
Yesterday’s Tom day was a great success. I managed to get through the whole day without access to the iPhone (except for the alarm clock at 6 am) or the IPad. I used the MacBook for writing ‘our story’ and that’s all. It really made a difference.
The one failing, if you can call it that, is I did watch Netflix in the evening (the crown if you must know).
Here’s the link to the video that’s finally got me to follow Tom’s sound advice. Not everyday will be a Tom day, that’s not possible, but I will do full-on detox days sometimes and I will limit my gadget and t’internet access on all days so I can focus on something very important like ….. Writing Manjula and my story.
Lockdown has added values.
See below for original posting on Facebook.
Tom’s Day
Have you seen or heard them on shoulders? The angel or fairy observing one’s every move, whispering ideas, making suggestions, gently guiding, even tut tutting when you’re hovering over the line, the limen between good and evil. Our little friends like the elves are here to give a helping hand and nudge us just when we most need it.
What a lovely gentle positive image.
Well I’ve got someone else, he’s a little fella but with big hefty presence. He sits on my head, sometimes flicking my ears, drumming his fingers on my skull, loudly whispering his thoughts, his key messages, usually something like… get-off the technology, write that story, meditate, eat this and that, eat properly-sit up straight (oh, no that last one was a dad memory).
I love him dearly, my very own Tom Thumb.
So in recognition that we both care and to show I really do listen; I’m designating wednesday of this week Tom’s Day. Its when I’ll try my best to do my best without looking at my Ipad, Iphone, Netflix or Amazon. The only permitted technology on Tom Day will be the lap top JUST for the ‘word processor’ I’ll not access the news, F book, Instagram, the blog thing and I’ll report back on what it was like.
Question: anyone know one of two possible links to the first line?
